Translation guide
The English word 'gross' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: expressing disgust, describing something crude or vulgar, referring to total amounts before deductions, and the unit of 144. It also touches on less common uses like 'gross negligence' and the verb 'to gross'.
Expressing that something is disgusting, gross, or revolting, often in casual speech.
The most common and versatile way to say something is gross or disgusting. Literally 'feels bad', used for things that are physically or emotionally repulsive.
That bug is gross!
Slang abbreviation of 気持ち悪い. Very common among younger speakers, but can sound rough or childish.
From 'grotesque'. Used specifically for gory, gruesome, or graphically disgusting things, like horror movies or injuries.
A more formal or written way to say something is unpleasant or disgusting. Not typically used in casual conversation.
The sight was extremely gross.
Describing behavior, language, or jokes that are crude, vulgar, or obscene.
Means vulgar, crude, or indecent. Used for language, jokes, or behavior that is socially inappropriate.
Referring to the total income, weight, or amount before anything is taken away.
Prefix meaning 'gross' or 'total'. Used in compounds like 総収入 (gross income) or 総重量 (gross weight).
Referring to the quantity of 144 items, a dozen dozen.
The unit 'gross' is directly borrowed into Japanese as グロス. Used in specific industries like manufacturing or stationery.
Referring to a severe lack of care that shows reckless disregard, often in legal contexts.
The standard legal term for 'gross negligence'. 重大 means serious, 過失 means negligence.
Referring to the total revenue generated by a movie, business, etc., before expenses.
Literally 'to obtain gross income'. Used for reporting earnings.
The loanword グロス only means the unit (144) or gross income. It is never used to mean 'disgusting'. Use 気持ち悪い or キモい instead.
気持ち悪い is the standard word for 'gross/disgusting'. キモい is a slangy abbreviation, often used by younger people. グロい is specifically for gory or grotesque things, not general disgust.
This food smells gross.
Eww, gross!
That horror movie is too gross to watch.
His jokes are too gross.
Don't use such gross language.
Specifically means obscene or lewd. Used for sexually explicit content.
That movie has a lot of gross scenes.
Slang that can mean harsh, intense, or gross in a crude way. Often used for shocking or over-the-top content.
That video was so gross I laughed.
What is the gross income?
Loanword from English, used in business contexts like 'gross profit' (グロスプロフィット) or 'gross margin'.
Please calculate the gross profit.
Total amount, sum total. Commonly used for prices or amounts.
The gross amount is 1 million yen.
I ordered a gross of pencils.
In everyday conversation, simply saying the number is clearer. グロス is not widely understood outside specific contexts.
I bought a gross of buttons.
He was sued for gross negligence.
Abbreviated form of 重大な過失, used in legal documents.
Gross negligence was found.
The movie grossed 1 billion dollars worldwide.
Specifically for movies or performances: 'to earn box office revenue'. 興行収入 means box office gross.
The movie grossed 10 billion yen at the box office.